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so_out_of_ideas) wrote2008-05-10 09:10 am
Character Interviews
I've been doing them for Bloodkin for a while and I decided to actually finish and post Gurad's this morning if anybody wants a laugh.
Mandatory Questions
THE 100+ QUESTIONS
Welcome to over one hundred of the dumbest questions about your character. These are things that, if someone were to ask you in real life, you could answer without giving it any thought whatsoever. Most characters, however, can't answer this because authors never think about it - it's unimportant. Well, these things are going to help you define you character more.
Some tips:
Answer these in character, but only in a situation where your character would be 100% honest with themselves and with the person asking the question. Otherwise, answer as an author, and still be 100% honest.Mandatory Questions
1. What about you is heroic?
Gurad: Absolutely nothing.
Me: *thwaps!* Gurad's commitment to his family, to the protection of the innocent, and his sincere desire to atone for the harm he has done. Also, the staunch refusal to kill, which is in direct contradiction to his nature as a vampire.
2. What about you is social? What do you like about people?
Gurad: I am social creature by nature. I enjoy the company of others, enjoy serving and pleasing them, especially my writer.
Me: *pats*
Gurad: Generally, I find that people are well meaning, and if given a chance will prove themselves to be trustworthy. Or redeemable, whichever comes first.
3. Of what benefit could you be to the current group?
Me: We're treating this question as a reference to the Elderkin, Fangs.
Gurad: *eyebrow* They are my bloodkin. I am their protector, their friend, and the one with the money.
4. Why would you choose to join the current group?
Gurad: They belong to me…?
5. Invent an adventure/plot that your character would actively undertake (as opposed to just tagging along)?
Me: Any kind of rescue of the other Elderkin or the Underkin, other than that he's content to live a quiet life.
Personal Questions
1. What is your real, birth name? What name do you use?
Gurad: Gurad Fayne is the only name I have.
2. Do you have a nickname? What is it, and where did you get it?
Gurad: *rubs eyes*
Me: *prods*
Gurad: *stares*
Me:*pointed look*
Gurad:…my nicknames are either "Fangs" or "Pops." Pops is what my daughter calls me. Fangs was coined by my son-in-law, who was, understandably enough, terrified at the sight of my fangs, and when attempting to say "Fayne," produced Fangs instead.
3. What do you look like? (Include height, weight, hair, eyes, skin, apparent age, and distinguishing features)
Gurad: I look like Michael Shanks, with whom my writer is obsessed.
4. How do you dress most of the time?
Gurad: A sport-coat and dress pants.
5. How do you "dress up?"
Gurad: A full three-piece suit and tie.
6. How do you "dress down?"
Gurad: A pullover sweater and khakis. Unless it is Christmas. Then a Santa hat.
7. What do you wear when you go to sleep?
Gurad: A t-shirt and briefs, apparently.
Me: Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. *cough* Yes, additionally in later parts of the series, he acquires pajamas.
8. Do you wear any jewelry?
Gurad: My wedding ring.
9. In your opinion, what is your best feature?
Gurad: My eyes. They are terrifying.
Me: Oh, for CRYING out loud.
Gurad: What…?
Me: Nevermind.
10. What's your real birth date?
Sometime around 5AD. That is all my writer knows, and essentially it was so long ago, that a completely accurate date would be impossible to remember.
11. Where do you live? Describe it: Is it messy, neat, avant-garde, sparse, etc.?
Gurad: The old Cullen place that used to be a Bed and Breakfast. It's a large stone house surrounded by several acres of land with a vegetable garden in the front of the house. It's quite neat, since my grandson Thomas has an aversion to messiness.
12. Do you own a car? Describe it.
Gurad: I own several, but my favorite is a classic Corvette. Red, naturally.
13. What is your most prized mundane possession? Why do you value it so much?
Gurad: A pocket watch, given to me by my eldest son.
14. What one word best describes you?
Gurad: Terrifying.
Me: *thwaps!* Protector. He's kidding.
Familial Questions
1. What was your family like?
2. Who was your father, and what was he like?
Gurad: My father's name was Joachold. I know little of him except that he died the death of bloodslave too favored by his master.
3. Who was your mother, and what was she like?
Gurad: Her name was Damia. She was of Roman descent. Some ancestor of hers had been a Roman citizen, but he fell in with Hadrian and as a result my mother was born in slavery. She was intelligent and capable, and by the time I was born, she had worked herself into a position of some authority over the rest of the female slaves. Hadrian, however, rarely drank from her. The reasons for that were one of the things I learned from her that I value most now. She was not an overly affectionate woman. Her life was hard. Still, she cared for my sister and I more than her own life.
4. What was your parents marriage like? Gurad: They were not married officially as it was not permitted them by Hadrian, but my mother did love him. More than that, I cannot say.
5. What were your siblings names?
Gurad: My sister's name was Gabriela.
6. What's the worst thing one of your siblings ever did to you? What's the worst thing you've done to one of your siblings?
Gurad: Once she pushed me in fountain. The worst thing I ever did to her was…complicated.
Me: *bangs head*
Gurad: *pats* It was not your fault.
Me: … *CRIES*
7. When's the last time you saw any member of your family? Where are they now?
Gurad: Last night. My sister and her husband live on the third floor.
8. Did you ever meet any other family members? Who were they? What did you think of them?
Gurad: Not biological family members. I hated Hadrian.
Childhood Questions
1. What is your first memory?
Gurad: Stealing snacks from one of the larders with my sister and almost falling out a window.
Me: …?
Gurad: I will tell you later.
2. What was your favorite toy?
Gurad: A broomstick. They are quite versatile.
3. What was your favorite game?
Gurad: Legionaries.
4. Any non-family member adults stick out in your mind? Who were they, and how did you know them? Why do they stick out?
Gurad: Hadrian I suppose. He was quite physically beautiful, and I despise him.
5. Who was your best friend when you were growing up?
Gurad: My sister.
6. What is your fondest, childhood memory?
Gurad: Sneaking out of the compound during the day when things were less active.
7. What is your worst childhood memory?
Gurad: The aforementioned near-death experience.
Adolescent Questions
1. How old were you when you went on your first date?
Gurad: Thirty-nine. I was, however, sufficiently well exposed to the opposite sex before that.
2. It is common for one's view of authority to develop in their adolescent years. What is your view of authority, and what event most affected it?
Gurad: I believe that authority figures should be respected when they have earned their places, but they should be followed without question or allowed to abuse those who look to them. I suppose this attitude developed due to my early experiences as a vampiric slave and later due to my relationship with One Eye Wolffather.
3. What were you like in high school? What "clique" did you best fit in with?
Gurad: I was a cheerleader.
Me: *headdesk* He's KIDDING.
4. What were your high school goals?
Gurad: There was no such thing as "high school", however, my goals were largely to remain alive and unnoticed.
5. Who was your idol when you were growing up? Who did you first fantasize about in your life?
Gurad: My mother and sister. My first fantasies were about finding a way to kill Hadrian.
6. What is your favorite memory from adolescence?
Gurad: *smirks* One of the aforementioned experiences with the opposite sex.
7. What is your worst memory from adolescence?
Gurad: … *facepalm* One of the aforementioned experiences with the opposite sex. Moving on.
Me:…?
Gurad: I will not tell you later.
Me: *sigh*
Occupational Questions
1. Do you have a job? What is it? Do you like it? If no job, where does your money come from?
Gurad: My money comes from investments in corporate stock, real-estate, and small entrepreneurial business ventures.
2. What is your boss or employer like? (Or publisher, or agent, or whatever.)
Gurad: refer to the above.
3. What are your co-workers like? Do you get along with them? Any in particular? Which ones don't you get along with?
Gurad: refer to the above.
4. What is something you had to learn that you hated?
Gurad: How to file a tax return.
5. Do you tend to save or spend your money? Why?
Gurad: my preference is to save it, simply because I have no use for the amount of money I have, and I attempt to live a life that does not attract undue notice. However, I've been known to spend it extravagantly on others and to give large amounts to charity.
Likes & Dislikes Questions
1. What hobbies do you have?
Gurad: I play a variety of musical instruments, including drums, piano, and the violin. In the past 350 years or so, I have also developed a passionate flare for cooking, made more interesting by the fact that I can't eat.
2. Who is your closest mundane friend? Describe them and how you relate to them.
Gurad: My son-in-law, Steven, although if he heard me describe him as mundane, we would have a six hour debate. We have a hunter-vampire bond, and we have been the best of friends since he tried to kill me prior to dating my daughter.
Me: *dies laughing*
3. Who is your worst mundane enemy? Describe them and why you don't get along.
Gurad: Does the paperboy count?
Me: *facepalm*
Gurad: I don't really have mundane enemies. If I did, they would die. Quickly.
4. What bands do you like? Do you even pay attention?
Gurad: Yes, I do pay attention. I enjoy a variety of music. Particular favorites at the moment are Metallica, dc Talk, Apocalyptica, Bec LaVelle, and The Spice Girls.
Me: WHAT?
Gurad: *laughs*
Me: Very funny. He does NOT like The Spice Girls.
5. What tape or CD hasn't left your player since your purchased it? Why?
Gurad: When Christ Comes, a compilation of CCM music mainly featuring Hillsong, interspersed with readings by Max Lucado. It drives my grandchildren up the wall while driving places with me.
6. What song is "your song?" Why?
Gurad: I can't pick one. I've lived too long and my musical interests span millennia.
7. What's been your favorite movie of all time?
Gurad: The top three are What Women Want, Gone With the Wind, and Driving Miss Daisy.
8. Read any good books? What were they?
Gurad: Thousands. Particular favorites are Gone With the Wind, The Illiad, the first four books of the Dune Chronicles, and Roots.
9. What do you watch on the Television?
Gurad: Scooby Doo.
10. When it comes to mundane politics, do you care? If so, which way do you tend to vote? If not, why don't you care?
Gurad: Yes, I care. I tend to vote Democratic these days, but really my decision is based on candidates' stances on on social issues and foreign policy, their voting records, and what my nose tells me.
11. What type of places do you hang out in with your mundane friends?
Gurad: Usually my house.
12. What type of places do you hang out in with your normal friends?
Gurad: Social clubs or parties.
13. What annoys you more than anything else?
Gurad: Dracula movies.
14. What would be the perfect gift for you?
Gurad: New episodes of Scooby Doo.
15. What's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?
Gurad: My daughter holding her firstborn.
16. What time of day is your favorite?
Gurad: Sunrise.
17. What kind of weather is your favorite?
Gurad: Summer nights, probably a bit warmer than is comfortable for average humans.
18. What is your favorite food? What is your least favorite food?
Gurad: My favorite to make is chocolate mousse. Least favorite is baked macaroni and cheese casserole, which of course my son LOVES. *sigh*
19. What is your favorite drink? (Coffee, Coke, Juice, Beer, Wine, etc.)
Gurad: 1839 Serial Killer.
20. What's your favorite animal? Why?
Gurad: Cats. They annoy One Eye.
21. Do you have any pets? Do you want any pets? What kind?
Gurad: Not at the moment.
22. What do you find most relaxing? (Not as in stress relief, but as something that actually calms you down.)
Gurad: Having my wife in the room.
23. What habit that others have annoys you most?
Gurad: Teeth clicking, finger taping, or any other nervous gesture.
24. What kind of things embarrass you? Why?
Gurad: Being around or associated with ignorance or stupidity. Usually I find myself embarrassed for the idiots involved.
25. What don't you like about yourself?
Gurad: My temper.
26. How would you like to look?
Gurad: Exactly as I look.
Sex & Intimacy Questions
1. Would you consider yourself straight, gay, bi, or something else? Why?
2. Who was the first person you had sex with? When did it happen? What was it like? How well did it go?
Gurad: *stares*
Me: Okay, despite the rules about must answer, there are some things that he just isn't going to talk about publically. I know the answers or can readily invent them based on what I know, so I'm not worried about it Moving on.
3. Have you ever had a same-sex experience? Who with, what was it like, and how did it go?
Gurad: No, I haven't. I'm straight.
4. What is your deepest, most well-hidden sexual fantasy? Would you ever try it?
Gurad: *stares*
5. What was the wildest thing you've ever done, sexually? Who was it with and when did it happen?
Gurad: *stares*
6. Is there any sexual activity that you enjoy and/or practice regularly that can be considered non-standard? (Bondage, Fantasy Play, etc.) Why do you like it?
Gurad: I suppose The Kiss counts. And I like it because I am a vampire.
7. Is there any sexual activity that you will not, under any circumstances, do?
Gurad: I will not cheat on a partner; engage in sexual activity with more than one person at a time; engage in any behavior that is painful or emotionally damaging to a partner; be involved with partner switching, paedophilia, same-sex pairings, or incestuous behavior of any kind, ever, for any reason, at any time, even in an AU. *stares pointedly at fanfic writers*
8. Do you currently have a lover? What is their name, and what is your relationship like? What are they like? Why are you attracted to them?
Gurad: My wife and I have been married for decades. She is fascinating on more levels than I can descibe unless you would like me to write a book, but I suppose I was initially attracted to the fact that she did not find me intimidating.
9. What is the perfect romantic date?
Gurad: That varies depending on my partner. I enjoy showing a woman a good time, and I would rather cater to her likes and dislikes than concoct a prefabricated setting.
10. Describe the perfect romantic partner for you.
Gurad: I don't know. Possibly my wife. *eye roll*
11. Do you ever want to get married and have children? When do you see this happening?
Gurad: Oh, well…I suppose I can ask my wife.
12. What is more important - sex or intimacy? Why?
Gurad: Without intimacy, sex is merely a biological function. Besides, women generally prefer intimacy, and I…prefer women.
13. What was your most recent relationship like? Who was it with? (Does not need to be sexual, merely romantic.)
Gurad: Let me see, I believe that would be…my wife. *thinks*
14. What's the worst thing you've done to someone you loved?
Gurad: I've killed more than one.
Drug & Alcohol Questions
1. How old were you when you first got drunk? What was the experience like?
Did anything good come out of it? Did anything bad come out of it?
Gurad: Twelve, a kiss, and a hangover.
Me: TWELVE?
Gurad: I will tell you later. *pats me on the head*
Me: *headdesk*
2. Do you drink on any kind of regular basis?
Gurad: Drink what?
3. What kind of alcohol do you prefer?
Gurad: I prefer blood.
4. Have you ever tried any other kind of "mood altering" substance? Which one(s)? What did you think of each?
Gurad: Does Siren blood count?
5. What do you think of drugs and alcohol? Are there any people should not do? Why or why not?
Gurad: I think that those things are fine for those of us with the biological and psychological capacity to use them in moderation. The difficulty is that many times, moderate use is not possible either due to the physical nature of the substance and the biological demands it places on mortal bodies, or because of the psycho-emotional stimulus-response cycle it perpetuates. In generally, it seems to me that drugs and alcohol are better left alone.
Morality Questions
1. What one act in your past are you most ashamed of? What one act in your past are you most proud of?
Gurad: I am most ashamed of my treatment of Sofia. There are several acts of which I am quite proud, but they are usually things that my friends had as much part in as I did, so I can't take credit for them.
2. Have you ever been in an argument before? Over what, with who, and who won?
Gurad: Many. I have won and lost.
3. Have you ever been in a physical fight before? Over what, with who, and who won?
Gurad: Refer to the above answer.
4. What do you feel most strongly about?
Gurad: That people should not be made slaves.
5. What do you pretend to feel strongly about, just to impress people?
Gurad: I assume you are joking.
6. What trait do you find most admirable, and how often do you find it?
Gurad: Equal parts intelligence, open mindedness, and personal integrity. I find them more often than one might think.
7. Is there anything you think should not be incorporated into the media or art (sex, violence, greed, etc.,)? If so, what and why, and if not, why not?
Gurad: I believe strongly in free speech and that art is and should be allowed to be a reflection of the culture it comes from. That said, I see no need for violence to be praised and glorified for the sake of itself alone. I find gratuitous sex and rampant perversion to be not only distasteful and devaluing of humanity but harmful and disturbing in what it says about the society which places it on such a high level of esteem.
8. Do you have any feelings in general that you are disturbed by? What are they? Why do they disturb you?
Gurad: My protective drives disturb me when they lead me to do violence.
9. What is your religious view of things? What religion, if any, do you call your own?
Gurad: Again, I would need a book. Suffice it to say that I now serve Christ and that I believe religion has its place as a vehicle for the expression of faith but that religion without a faith that includes mind and body is rather pointless.
10. Do you think the future is hopeful? Why?
Gurad: Yes, because my family still exists.
11. Is an ounce of prevention really worth a pound of cure? Which is more valuable? Why do you feel this way?
Gurad: I believe it depends on the circumstances. Certainly if a problem can realistically be prevented before it occurs, then prevention is more valuable. However, there are times when attempting to prevent problems in a paranoid or obsessive manner creates other problems. Sometimes the effort of solving a problem or finding a cure brings about rewards that would not have otherwise been found. People learn about themselves when faced with a problem that must be solved. They learn to work together, to depend on one another, and also when it is appropriate to trust in their abilities and when they should seek assistance.
12. What's the worst thing that can be done to another person? Why?
Gurad: I have lived too long to say that there is any one thing that is "the worst" thing that could happen to someone. Trying to pick one inevitably leads to something worse being invented anyway.
13. What's the worst thing you could actually do to someone you hated?
Gurad: I could destroy them a piece at a time over a period of thousands of years.
14. Are you a better leader or follower? Why do you think that? If you think the whole leader-follower archetype is a crock of shit, say so, and explain why?
Gurad: I can be both when circumstances require it. I think a leader who does not know when and how to follow someone more qualified makes a poor leader.
15. What is your responsibility to the world, if any? Why do you think that?
Gurad: My responsibility to the world is to love the people in it.
16. Do you think redemption is possible? If so, can anyone be redeemed, or are there only certain circumstances that can be? If not, why do you think nothing can redeem itself?
Gurad: I am an object lesson in redemption, but I don't believe that anything or anyone can redeem itself. Christ came so that anyone who asks could receive the redemption that has already been given.
17. Is it okay for you to cry? When was the last time you cried?
Gurad: I should hope so. I cried this weekend when my credit card bill came in.
Post-Supernatural Awareness Questions
1. When did you go through whatever made you supernatural? What was it like (in your opinion)?
Gurad: In 35 AD. It was horrible.
2. What do you think now of being supernatural? Is it cool, or have you been screwed?
Gurad: I do not think it is "cool" however I have learned to accept it as the choice I made.
3. Do you have a mentor? Who are they? How did you become their student?
Gurad: Yes. His name is One Eye, and he acquired me in a bet.
4. Do you have any magical items? Where did you get them?
Gurad: No.
5. What do you think of the other denizens of the World of Darkness? Why for each? (If you haven't met something, do you think it exists, and if it does, is that bad or good?)
Gurad: I make my judgments on an individual basis and not along lines of species or blood.
6. Think of a major event that happened during your training/initiation. What was it?
Gurad: I learned embezzling. *grins*
7. What is something you had to learn during your training that you hated? Why did you hate it?
Gurad: How to attend my sire and help him dress. I hated my sire.
Miscellaneous Questions
1. What is the thing that has frightened you most? Do you think there is anything out there that's scarier than that? What do you think that would be?
Gurad: The death of my first wife. And no.
2. Has anyone or anything you've ever cared about died? How did you feel about it? What happened?
Gurad: Would you like the long list or the short list?
3. What was the worst injury you've ever received? How did it happen?
Gurad: Oh, hm. You mean besides death?
4. How ticklish are you? Where are you ticklish?
Gurad: …
Me: I'll ask Beth anyway.
Gurad: *facepalm*
5. What is your current long term goal?
Gurad: To learn to fish.
Me: WHAT?
Gurad: You know I like to learn things.
Me: But fishing?
Gurad: Why not?
Me: It's so boring!
Gurad: You do not have to come.
Me: *headdesk*
6. What is your current short term goal?
Gurad: To finish these questions.
7. Do you have any bad habits? If so, what are they, and do you plan to get rid of them?
Gurad: I apparently leave the toothpaste cap open. And no.
8. If you were a mundane person, what would you do with your life? What occupation would you want, and how would you spend all your time?
Gurad: I would be a historian and write books that no one would believe because they were true.
9. What time period do you wish you had lived in? Why? (Looking at this as an attempt to change history doesn't count.) What appeals to you about this era?
Gurad: I've lived in multiple time periods. I prefer the present. The people I love are all there.
10. How private of a person are you? Why?
Gurad: Very. It tends to be a matter of survival.
11. If you were to gain an obscenely large sum of money (via an inhertiance, a lawsuit, a lottery, or anything else) what would you do with it?
Gurad: *laughs*
12. What would you wish for if you found a genie?
Gurad: You obviously have never met a Djinn.
13. What do you do when you are bored?
Gurad: Play chess with myself.
14. What is the most frightening potential handicap or disfigurement you can conceive of? What makes it so
frightening?
Gurad: Losing the ability to read. If you don't know why that is frightening, I probably cannot explain it.
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*HUGS GURAD LIKE CRAZY*
*looks cute for him not to go too much facepalm about it*
I just commented "precisely" like half of this interview but I love it!!
And now you gave me ideas... Thanks! =p
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You're welcome. =P
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17. Is it okay for you to cry? When was the last time you cried?
Gurad: I should hope so. I cried this weekend when my credit card bill came in.
*dies*
*glomps Gurad*
Now brain wants me to do one of these. Or two. Or three.
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